HEGINS - The Tri-Valley school board approved the final budget for the 2014-15 school year during a special meeting recently at the high school.
The board voted unanimously to approve the $21,265,996 spending plan with an unreserved fund balance of $4,950. The budget reflects a 0.801 mill, or 2.7 percent, increase, the allowable state index. The increase will cost the average homeowner an additional $24.81 per property, based on an average assessment of $30,965.
Director Diane Dietrich was not present at the meeting.
In other business, the board appointed Attorney James P. Diehl and Attorney David H. Rattigan of Williamson, Friedberg & Jones LLC to the position of district solicitor.
Superintendent Mark Snyder thanked Attorney Harry Brown for the many years of good, sound legal advice he provided to the district. Snyder said Brown was always just a phone call away.
Snyder also thanked Ron Bixler of Bixler Stumps and Trees, Ashland. Bixler donated his time and services to erect the girls' basketball state championship sign. Snyder also said Bixler donated his time and services for the removal of a tree at Hegins-Hubley Elementary School that was impeding the progress of the construction project.
Also, the Tri-Valley girls' soccer team will be under the direction of a new head soccer coach. The board appointed Ryan Wagner to the position at a salary of $2,280 for the 2014-15 school year. Board President Dan Wagner abstained from the vote.
The board approved the following extracurricular positions for the 2014-15 school year: student council co-advisors, Matthew Readings and Connie Stehr, $1,347 (shared); yearbook advisor, Amanda White, $1,395; drama club advisor, Laura Costa, $1,347/production; junior class co-advisors, Kimberly Roulin and Valerie Specht, $540 (shared); senior class co-advisors, Ryan Cooper and Amanda Killian-Shiffer, $697 (shared); band director, Justin Welker, $3,327; chorus director, Heather Hall, $2,315; elementary Bulldog Barker editor, Jessica Allvord, $474; honor society co-advisors, Amanda Killian-Shiffer and Amanda White, $610 (shared); Future BusinessLeaders of America co-advisors, Valerie Specht and Connie Stehr, $856 (shared); elementary audio visual director, Stacie Knehr Kutz, $1,468; secondary audio visual director, Ryan Cooper, $1,984; elementary technology coordinator, Sheila Murray, $800; and spelling bee advisor, Jessica Allvord, $523.